By: Jeff Marcell & Tom Stellman, TIP StrategiesIn 2014, TIP was engaged by East Michigan Council of Governments (EMCOG) to craft an economic development strategic plan. During this process, regional stakeholders identified the development of a Center of Excellence as a high priority. Upon completion of the plan, a coalition of EMCOG and Prosperity Region #5 was awarded a state implementation grant and subsequently hired TIP to assist in developing an action plan for this initiative. The project’s goal is to leverage the assets identified in region’s strategic planning process: the innovation taking place within the regions’ companies, strong entrepreneurship and technology programs within the community, and the exceptional educational institutions that serve the region.
The eight-county East Central Michigan regional effort will convene and lead a coalition of partners to conduct an inventory of current and past statewide programs focused on industry innovation. The coalition will also work to align regional organizations and stakeholders in support of the effort; to identify national best practice models for Centers of Excellence programs; and to evaluate specific areas of focus including: advanced materials and technologies for the automotive industry, agricultural logistics and processing, clean technology/energy efficiency sectors, international workforce training, and higher education services.